'18 GA LB JJ Peterson (Tennessee signee)

[RockyTopInBham]

Yeah this kid has the looks of a LB who never leaves the field. Hopefully he can seize the Mike or Will spot early and not look back.

If we can get some production out of Smith, Blakely, etc at the SAM our LB core suddenly looks much much better.

As long as healthy, that Mike spot is going to Kirkland. I'd bet D.Taylor gets the first crack at the Jack spot, and Sam would be Bituli if I had to guess. Peterson should come in and compete right away with Sapp for that starting spot at Will.

 

[The Breakerboy]

As long as healthy, that Mike spot is going to Kirkland. I'd bet D.Taylor gets the first crack at the Jack spot, and Sam would be Bituli if I had to guess. Peterson should come in and compete right away with Sapp for that starting spot at Will.

He looks like a kid they’ll start first year. His closing speed and hitting ability is needed for sure.

 

[Big Orange #1]

I heard he was 8 feet tall and shot lightning bolts out of his arse 😁

I am William Wallace!

 

[AppStVol]

As long as healthy, that Mike spot is going to Kirkland. I'd bet D.Taylor gets the first crack at the Jack spot, and Sam would be Bituli if I had to guess. Peterson should come in and compete right away with Sapp for that starting spot at Will.

We will see about Kirkland. When healthy, I like his game but like many he’s overrated on this board due to his recruiting ranking. He gets washed out of the play too much for my taste at Mike.

I tend to agree on D.Taylor and Bituli. We will need others to also step up for depth purposes. I hope we may see a guy like Ignont come on this year with a new staff. He flashed to me on the limited opportunity he saw this year.

 

[The Breakerboy]

We will see about Kirkland. When healthy, I like his game but like many he’s overrated on this board due to his recruiting ranking. He gets washed out of the play too much for my taste at Mike.

I tend to agree on D.Taylor and Bituli. We will need others to also step up for depth purposes. I hope we may see a guy like Ignont come on this year with a new staff. He flashed to me on the limited opportunity he saw this year.

He’s got to get more physical. I like him at OLB and Bituli inside. Kirkland isn’t rough enough inside to be that enforcer at MLB.

 

[engineerVOL]

He’s got to get more physical. I like him at OLB and Bituli inside. Kirkland isn’t rough enough inside to be that enforcer at MLB.

Bituli can shed blocks or at least take on blocks and still manage to make a positive play out of it. Kirkland needs to be able to use his speed and instincts.

 

[jakez4ut]

We will see about Kirkland. When healthy, I like his game but like many he’s overrated on this board due to his recruiting ranking. He gets washed out of the play too much for my taste at Mike.

I tend to agree on D.Taylor and Bituli. We will need others to also step up for depth purposes. I hope we may see a guy like Ignont come on this year with a new staff. He flashed to me on the limited opportunity he saw this year.

i tend to agree with you on DK. he may be a lot better as a mike in the 3-4 because you can get speed on the field with him. he's smart, physical, and good in small spaces.

get some speed on the field with him to improve the sideline to sideline speed, improve the coverage ability at the LB spot and he may flourish.

you go 3-4, with depth looking like this:
DE: Phillips, Kongbo
DT: tuttle, Picou, Johnson
DE: Taylor, Johnson
incoming: Emerson, Lawless, Banks, Allen
hopefully incoming: Miller, Litaker?, Becton, Langham

OLB: Sapp
MLB: DKjr, Bituli, Ignont
MLB: Bituli, Ignont
OLB: Smith
jack/spur/hybrid: ?
Incoming: Peterson (commit)
Hopefully Incoming: Walker, Okechukwu (OLB/DE)

if you do go 3-4, that at least gives you some flexibility at DE/OLB, and maybe easier to interchange players.

and you can move those players around however you see fit...just listing the names for reference.

plus, they're recruiting some guys at RB that have the frame and speed to move to LB, so i'm not going to rule out some position changes.

jmo, but LB is still the biggest issue on this defense.

and at DB, with who they're looking at bringing in, we could get instantly better there.

as you look at it now, and what the roster may look like after NSD, the defense could look A LOT different than it did the last two years.

 

[amazingGRACE]

Peterson needs to have a good spring in the classroom, but i don't have anyone telling me he won't or can't make it.

-Hubbs

 

[Rishvol]

-Hubbs

BB, de1 tell you boys that the classroom is more important than their training. I understand they want to get better and be better than anyone else. They should want this, but they need to realize they won't get anywhere if they lack in the classroom.

 

[RockyTopInBham]

i tend to agree with you on DK. he may be a lot better as a mike in the 3-4 because you can get speed on the field with him. he's smart, physical, and good in small spaces.

get some speed on the field with him to improve the sideline to sideline speed, improve the coverage ability at the LB spot and he may flourish.

you go 3-4, with depth looking like this:
DE: Phillips, Kongbo
DT: tuttle, Picou, Johnson
DE: Taylor, Johnson
incoming: Emerson, Lawless, Banks, Allen
hopefully incoming: Miller, Litaker?, Becton, Langham

OLB: Sapp
MLB: DKjr, Bituli, Ignont
MLB: Bituli, Ignont
OLB: Smith
jack/spur/hybrid: ?
Incoming: Peterson (commit)
Hopefully Incoming: Walker, Okechukwu (OLB/DE)

if you do go 3-4, that at least gives you some flexibility at DE/OLB, and maybe easier to interchange players.

and you can move those players around however you see fit...just listing the names for reference.

plus, they're recruiting some guys at RB that have the frame and speed to move to LB, so i'm not going to rule out some position changes.

jmo, but LB is still the biggest issue on this defense.

and at DB, with who they're looking at bringing in, we could get instantly better there.

as you look at it now, and what the roster may look like after NSD, the defense could look A LOT different than it did the last two years.

Not just to argue, but I'm way more concerned with NT in this defense. I think some of your position projections might be a little off.

The loss of McKenzie is huge because we don't have another guy on this roster except Crosby who is built to truly play nose tackle. Tuttle is a good DT, but he could be a great 3-4 end, where he'd face way fewer double teams and have a greater impact. NT is basically a space clogger. So Picou doesn't fit that as an undersized DT. He'd be a 3-4 end. Most of our current DT's are 3-4 ends. And current signees like Emerson, Lawless, and Harris are all built as 3-4 ends as well. Hence my major worry with NT.

Pass rush guys like D.Taylor, D.Johnson, J.Allen, and R.Thaxton are fits for the Jack position (the pass-rushing LB spot, pretty much).

As for the LB spots, your bigger guys actually play on the outside since they are setting the edge/rushing the passer the majority of the time. Guys like Peterson, Sapp, Reid, & Page would be fits for that Will spot, which plays in the middle next to the Mike (Kirkland, Ignont). Then there's the Sam, which I think guys like Bituli, A.Smith, & Blakely would fit best opposite those pass rush specialists. All JMO.

 

[Sleegro]

Not just to argue, but I'm way more concerned with NT in this defense. I think some of your position projections might be a little off.

The loss of McKenzie is huge because we don't have another guy on this roster except Crosby who is built to truly play nose tackle. Tuttle is a good DT, but he could be a great 3-4 end, where he'd face way fewer double teams and have a greater impact. NT is basically a space clogger. So Picou doesn't fit that as an undersized DT. He'd be a 3-4 end. Most of our current DT's are 3-4 ends. And current signees like Emerson, Lawless, and Harris are all built as 3-4 ends as well. Hence my major worry with NT.

Pass rush guys like D.Taylor, D.Johnson, J.Allen, and R.Thaxton are fits for the Jack position (the pass-rushing LB spot, pretty much).

As for the LB spots, your bigger guys actually play on the outside since they are setting the edge/rushing the passer the majority of the time. Guys like Peterson, Sapp, Reid, & Page would be fits for that Will spot, which plays in the middle next to the Mike (Kirkland, Ignont). Then there's the Sam, which I think guys like Bituli, A.Smith, & Blakely would fit best opposite those pass rush specialists. All JMO.

NT in this version of 3-4 has changed a bit. D'Ron Payne is bama's biggest d lineman at 6 ft 2 in 308 lbs. Exactly the same size as shy. Actually most of the positions in Pruitt's version have different size targets than old school 3-4. Gives them more positional versatility to change formations without subbing to account for no huddle offenses. Here's bama's roster:

ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletics Site

 

[RockyTopInBham]

NT in this version of 3-4 has changed a bit. D'Ron Payne is bama's biggest d lineman at 6 ft 2 in 308 lbs. Exactly the same size as shy. Actually most of the positions in Pruitt's version have different size targets than old school 3-4. Gives them more positional versatility to change formations without subbing to account for no huddle offenses. Here's bama's roster:

ROLLTIDE.COM - University of Alabama Official Athletics Site

That's fair. I still think Tuttle could be a great 3-4 DE, but it looks like we won't have much choice other than him, Crosby, and maybe A.Johnson at NT.

The other 2 starters on that Bama D-Line are Hand (288lbs) & Davis (306lbs). Sometimes Buggs (293lbs). Guys like D.Taylor and J.Allen most likely won't play DL in this formation due to the need for size up front.

 

[butchna]

That's fair. I still think Tuttle could be a great 3-4 DE, but it looks like we won't have much choice other than him, Crosby, and maybe A.Johnson at NT.

The other 2 starters on that Bama D-Line are Hand (288lbs) & Davis (306lbs). Sometimes Buggs (293lbs). Guys like D.Taylor and J.Allen most likely won't play DL in this formation due to the need for size up front.

Those are our OLBs.

 

[RockyTopInBham]

Those are our OLBs.

That's what I said a few posts above.

 

[Sleegro]

That's fair. I still think Tuttle could be a great 3-4 DE, but it looks like we won't have much choice other than him, Crosby, and maybe A.Johnson at NT.

The other 2 starters on that Bama D-Line are Hand (288lbs) & Davis (306lbs). Sometimes Buggs (293lbs). Guys like D.Taylor and J.Allen most likely won't play DL in this formation due to the need for size up front.

Yeah, the LB's appear to all be 230 to 250 and somewhat interchangeable as well. Interesting that all the positions seem to be smaller than you'd think except CB. Man their CB's are huge.

 

[Rishvol]

That's fair. I still think Tuttle could be a great 3-4 DE, but it looks like we won't have much choice other than him, Crosby, and maybe A.Johnson at NT.

The other 2 starters on that Bama D-Line are Hand (288lbs) & Davis (306lbs). Sometimes Buggs (293lbs). Guys like D.Taylor and J.Allen most likely won't play DL in this formation due to the need for size up front.

I don't see how people think Tuttle is a DE. His body structure is 100% DT. I think he'd dominate as a NT. He also commanded many more double teams than McKenzie. I think he's going to show out this year.

 

[butchna]

That's what I said a few posts above.

Who’s got the time? :lol:

 

[Nashvegas31]

Not sure I have ever seen a LB returning Kicks in highlights. Outstanding athlete

 

[The Breakerboy]

BB, de1 tell you boys that the classroom is more important than their training. I understand they want to get better and be better than anyone else. They should want this, but they need to realize they won't get anywhere if they lack in the classroom.

Kids have access to tutors. Already covered big guy.

 

[The Breakerboy]

Yeah, the LB's appear to all be 230 to 250 and somewhat interchangeable as well. Interesting that all the positions seem to be smaller than you'd think except CB. Man their CB's are huge.

#39 is small at CB. 182lbs tops

 

[Sleegro]

#39 is small at CB. 182lbs tops

Yeah, I was more talking about the average size of their db's. He's definitely one of the smaller ones but he obviously plays well.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

i tend to agree with you on DK. he may be a lot better as a mike in the 3-4 because you can get speed on the field with him. he's smart, physical, and good in small spaces.

get some speed on the field with him to improve the sideline to sideline speed, improve the coverage ability at the LB spot and he may flourish.

you go 3-4, with depth looking like this:
DE: Phillips, Kongbo
DT: tuttle, Picou, Johnson
DE: Taylor, Johnson
incoming: Emerson, Lawless, Banks, Allen
hopefully incoming: Miller, Litaker?, Becton, Langham

OLB: Sapp
MLB: DKjr, Bituli, Ignont
MLB: Bituli, Ignont
OLB: Smith
jack/spur/hybrid: ?
Incoming: Peterson (commit)
Hopefully Incoming: Walker, Okechukwu (OLB/DE)

if you do go 3-4, that at least gives you some flexibility at DE/OLB, and maybe easier to interchange players.

and you can move those players around however you see fit...just listing the names for reference.

plus, they're recruiting some guys at RB that have the frame and speed to move to LB, so i'm not going to rule out some position changes.

jmo, but LB is still the biggest issue on this defense.

and at DB, with who they're looking at bringing in, we could get instantly better there.

as you look at it now, and what the roster may look like after NSD, the defense could look A LOT different than it did the last two years.

I think Taylor would be better suited as an OLB. Also think Picou projects as a DE. Other than that I agree with this. I think Crosby almost has to step up as the only true NT we have on the roster.

 

[burnt orange311]

Isn't this rush's school?

Peterson, Blakely, and Shamburger aren’t the only Talent we have down here.... We Are Loaded! And yes this is Rush’s school...
Keep it going and we might can open a pipeline from Moultrie to Knoxville and bypass Athens all together

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Peterson, Blakely, and Shamburger aren’t the only Talent we have down here.... We Are Loaded! And yes this is Rush’s school...
Keep it going and we might can open a pipeline from Moultrie to Knoxville and bypass Athens all together

Welcome to VN

 

[Vol8188]

i tend to agree with you on DK. he may be a lot better as a mike in the 3-4 because you can get speed on the field with him. he's smart, physical, and good in small spaces.

get some speed on the field with him to improve the sideline to sideline speed, improve the coverage ability at the LB spot and he may flourish.

you go 3-4, with depth looking like this:
DE: Phillips, Kongbo
DT: tuttle, Picou, Johnson
DE: Taylor, Johnson
incoming: Emerson, Lawless, Banks, Allen
hopefully incoming: Miller, Litaker?, Becton, Langham

OLB: Sapp
MLB: DKjr, Bituli, Ignont
MLB: Bituli, Ignont
OLB: Smith
jack/spur/hybrid: ?
Incoming: Peterson (commit)
Hopefully Incoming: Walker, Okechukwu (OLB/DE)

if you do go 3-4, that at least gives you some flexibility at DE/OLB, and maybe easier to interchange players.

and you can move those players around however you see fit...just listing the names for reference.

plus, they're recruiting some guys at RB that have the frame and speed to move to LB, so i'm not going to rule out some position changes.

jmo, but LB is still the biggest issue on this defense.

and at DB, with who they're looking at bringing in, we could get instantly better there.

as you look at it now, and what the roster may look like after NSD, the defense could look A LOT different than it did the last two years.

I'd expect taylor at the other OLB across from Smith and Sapp probably moved inside.

I'd also expect the kid from Garner to be a second team DE (Butler I think)